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29 July 2010

Window Shopping: Kitchen Cabinets

We went around home depot stores, malls and an expo just grabbing fliers and brochures from companies we saw offering kitchen cabinets.

Then we emailed what I call a "Kitchen Kit". It contained the floor plan, drawings, notes, etc. This was to ensure that the suppliers would all be on the same page when it came to the quotation and we could compare fairly.

Note: We saw their showroom while passing through the Automatic Supercentre in Araneta Center. And while I thought they were located too far away from the house, it turns out their factory was closer than we thought. This taught us that it doesn't hurt to just ask as you'll never know what you'll find.

Note: The owners are related to Earl but it took some time before we were able to contact them. And while it was no surprise we signed up with them, fortunately for us, they also offered the lowest quote (I think they gave us a discount).

Note: It took them a very long time to send us a quote. But when they did send it, I was surprised to learn that, considering they're only a local company, they were at the same price point (if not more) than SieMatic.

The following quotations were obtained in 2009 and were based on different designs:

Do dropby sometime. I am with my contractor and electrician/consultant that time. We are so busy discussing the electrical system and ceiling installation.

BTW, my consultant told me that I need to change the electrical system of the entire house. Avida used flexible conduits and 2.0mm solid wires (good for lights only). According to him, Philippine standard states that use flexible conduits should be maximum of 1.8 meters only, PVC pipes should be used. Also 3.5mm stranded wires should be used for the outlets. There are no grounding system inside the house though grounding rod was placed near the electrical post. He told me if the municipal building inspector already inspected the house for compliance. I told my consultant yes, because the house was turnovered to me and I assume everything was inspected.

My electrical consultant briefed my contractor what to do and he will inspect it again once my ceiling was installed based on my own design. I previously requested Avida not to install my ceiling because I knew from the start there will are "mysteries" installed on the ceilings.

My contractor gave me TVSS to protect the electrical system for power fluctuations. The unit will be tested by one of my electrician this week.

There are so much things to do pa. According to my contractor, they can correct everything and install my designed ceiling next week.

I chanced upon your blog after seeing your surplus items for sale on Home Stuff at GTalk.

I'm also having my kitchen renovated and my contractor (somebody whose work I saw a picture of in Pinoy Exchange) quoted me P100k using a 3/4 plyboards for the insides of cabinets and drawers, white MDF for doors, a couple of wire baskets for racks, Hafele hinges, stainless and aluminum handles, jet black china granite and labor for demolishing our old kitchen counter because it's not of standard height, painting of the insides of cabinets/drawers, and whatever electrical and plumbing work will be involved in the kitchen renovation.

My kitchen is quite small and I want it made into an L-shape to maximize the space. Looking at your drawings, altho I can't make out the measurements, I think your kitchen is much bigger than mine, given it is also U-shaped, but will cost you less than the P100k that was quoted to me.

I'm tempted to contact CUSM furniture shop, but I think the quote will be more or less the same with that of my contractor because I don't think I'll be entitled to the discount given to you because your husband is their relative. ;-)

Anyway, here's wishing both of us good luck as we embark on this very costly affair of house improvement.

I'd also like to have my electricals checked because I think my electrician also used flexible conduits... sadly I no longer have the budget for it for now. maybe early next year.

@Maxi,

I too found repairs/renovations quite expensive and did try to just get a "good carpenter" to copy the designs I saw on the net. I asked some neighbors for referrals... sabi lagi okay yun... magaling daw... mura sumingil yung nire-refer nila... Sadly, all my past projects ended up not being what I expected and hoped for. Laging me palpak! Maybe my neighbor's standard of "magaling" is simply not up to par with my standard. It was always a case of getting what I paid for... mura nga labor pero mukhang mura din yung trabaho... hindi pulido... even with those claiming to have years of experience as mason or finishing carpenter. hindi mo naman ma-verify yung "experience" nila so they can actually claim whatever they want to claim.

Hi nicole,You are very fortunate to have a good contractor unlike me. I was deceived by the nice showroom of viro casa at greenbelt. Viro Casa have a Very poor workmanship like cracked glasses on cabinet doors, wrong measurements, Ill-fitting ledges and counter-tops and the worst part is delayed delivery. I paid in full because they require it before they start on our kitchen last June 2013 and it's September already but our kitchen is far from being done. 4 months of headache for a simple kitchen in a condominium and it's far from over.

Finding a good finishing carpenter for your kitchen is economical. But be sure they have the experience working on modular kitchen. Here are some tips to consider: 1. There are available kitchen solid doors in the market (MC Home, Home Depot, Wilcon) U only have to decide for your preference on door finishes.2. There are available boards to use for carcass with prepared white melamine coating. Use PVC edge-bond color that will match your selected door finish. (Lexus, World-class, Uni Decor)3. If you will use aluminum profile as frame, it'd be better to use smoke glass. In wood frame, frosted glass will do. Don't use sticker as shades for glass bec it will melt with moisture.4. Use solid surface or natural stone for counter top. Laminated tops will eventually chip even if u'd used the most expensive formica.5. Make sure ud buy original hardware. (Systema, Besser, Blum, Hafele)